- Overview
- Recognitions
- Publications
- Affiliations
- Insights
Overview
Mike Rubin is a veteran appellate lawyer who has handled hundreds of appeals in state and federal courts, including before the U.S. Fifth, Seventh, and D.C. Circuit Courts of Appeal, on a wide variety of issues including constitutional law, labor law, legal ethics, local governmental zoning affecting private interests, property and contractual issues, oil and gas matters affecting the entire Gulf region, taxation, and education, as well as matters of critical importance to the Louisiana lending community.
Appellate Litigation. Known for appellate advocacy, Mike Rubin has argued more than 100 major cases before numerous state and federal appellate courts (including the U.S. Fifth, Seventh, and D.C. Circuit Courts of Appeal, the Louisiana Supreme Court, and numerous state intermediate appellate courts) on matters such as: constitutional law, labor law, legal ethics, local governmental zoning affecting private interests, property and contractual issues, oil and gas matters affecting the entire Gulf region, taxation, and education, as well as matters of critical importance to the Louisiana lending community. Appellate litigation, a process of convincing the court of the proper law to apply to the facts so that the client’s goals are met, requires a combination of persuasive, readable briefs and effective oral advocacy. Mike has time and again transformed difficult legal issues into comprehensible points, delivering clearly articulated arguments that have proven to be persuasive to some of the highest courts in the country.
Trial-level Litigation. Mike is also a dedicated trial-level litigator who has handled ground-breaking cases in Louisiana finance and secured lending; major multi-million-dollar commercial cases involving contract disputes, construction issues, and commercial transactions; and trials of national importance concerning federal voting rights, bankruptcy, environmental law, and constitutional issues.
Government Representation. Governmental agencies regularly retain Mike in connection with major constitutional and educational matters affecting the state of Louisiana. He has handled matters concerning the constitutional financing of education, the ability of the Louisiana Supreme Court to pass rules and regulations affecting the practice of law, and litigation seeking to undermine state statutes and contracts relating to gaming.
Real Estate Law. Recognized for the depth of his knowledge regarding real estate, commercial transactions, and commercial financing, Mike has an active practice advising lenders, borrowers, developers, and commercial enterprises. He has taught real estate and finance law for decades and written a treatise on Louisiana real estate and finance issues. Mikes numerous law review articles and publications on these topics have been cited as authoritative by state and federal courts, including the U.S. Fifth Circuit and the U.S. First Circuit. A former president of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, he is also a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, the American College of Commercial Finance Attorneys, and has served in leadership capacities in the ABA’s Real Property section.
A prolific writer, Mike’s numerous legal publications about real estate, finance, and ethics not only have been cited as authoritative in state and federal courts around the country, they also are used in law schools across the nation. In addition, he is a nationally known speaker and humorist who has given over 500 major presentations throughout the United States as well as in Canada and England. Mike has been honored nationally by many organizations, including the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, where he served on the faculty for 40 years.
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Education
- Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D. | 1975
- Amherst College, B.A. | 1972
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Related Services
Recognitions
- Benchmark Appellate Litigation Star (2025)
- 2020 recipient of the Frederick S. Lane Award by the American College of Real Estate Lawyers in recognition of exceptional service to the public, the legal profession, and the College. He was only the 12th honoree of the award in 25 years
- “The Distinguished Attorney of Louisiana,” Louisiana Bar Foundation (2012)
- “The Distinguished Alumnus of the LSU Law School,” (2007)
- The Best Lawyers in America® (Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking & Finance) 1995-present
- Baton Rouge Appellate Practice "Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers in America®, 2017
- Baton Rouge Bet-the-Company Litigation "Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers in America®, 2010, 2014, 2015
- Baton Rouge Litigation - Banking and Finance "Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers in America®, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2019
- Chambers USA, Louisiana / Banking & Finance 2022, Litigation: Appellate 2023-2025
- Martindale-Hubbell™ AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated Lawyer
- Louisiana Super Lawyers (Appellate, Business Litigation, Real Estate), 2007–2025
- Louisiana Super Lawyers "Top 50: Louisiana Super Lawyers," 2007–2008, 2012–2018 , 2023-2025
- Winner of the National Burton Award, presented at the Library of Congress by the Burton Foundation for outstanding legal writing
- Winner of the Stephen Victory Award presented by the Louisiana State Bar Association for outstanding legal writing
- Winner of the Bernard Caillouet Award, for lifetime achievement in law-related education
- Winner of the Gold Medal from the Atlanta-based Foundation for Improvement of Justice for work simplifying the law and making legal services available to the poor
Education
- Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D. | 1975
- Amherst College, B.A. | 1972
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Related Services
Publications
Publications and Presentations
Publications
- “The Janus-Faced 1825 Civil Code: Legal Professionalism While Looking Backwards Into The Horrific Past And Glancing Forward Into The Future,” 85 Louisiana Law Review 1193 (2025)
- “ ‘Reply All’ Regrets: Ethical Considerations for Electronic Communications,” 40 The Practical Real Estate Lawyer 39 (2024)
- “If You’re a Good Legal Writer, You Don’t Write Good,” 37 Probate & Property 40 (2023)
- “The Ethics of Negotiations for Construction Lawyers: Are There Any?” 42 The Construction Lawyer 14 (2023)
- Civility in Divided Times: Is There Room for Professionalism in Negotiations?” 68 Nat. Resources & Energy L. Inst. 3-1 (2022).
- “Multijurisdictional Practice and Transactional Lawyers: Time for a Rule That Is Honored Rather Than Honored in Its Breach,” co-authored with Professor James Geoffrey Durham, 81 Louisiana Law Review 678 (2021)
- “Louisiana Law of Security Devices, A Précis” (2nd Edition, Carolina Academic Press, 2018)
Presentations
- "Professionalism for Tech Geeks and Luddites" Louisiana Land Title Association 2025 Annual Convention, December 4, 2025
- "The Multijurisdictional Practice Mess: ABA “Ethics” Rule" International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) + U.S. Law Conference , October 9, 2025
- "Reply All Regrets: Professionalism Issues for Tech Geeks and Luddites" 2025 Louisiana State Bar Association Annual Meeting and Summer School, June 4, 2025
- "Multijurisdictional Practice, Part 2: Ethical Landmines to Avoid" University of Texas Law CLE 47th Corporate Counsel Institute , May 15, 2025
- "Bordering on the Edge: Multijurisdictional Practice Issues for Inside and Outside Counsel" ABA's 37th Annual Real Property, Trust, and Estate (RPTE) National CLE Conference, April 30, 2025
- "Fearless Lawyers, Unpopular Clients, and the Concept of Justice" Evansville Bar Association, March 11, 2025
- "The Janus-Faced 1825 Civil Code: Legal Professionalism While Looking Backwards Into the Horrific Past and Glancing Forward Into the Future," A.P. Tureaud American Inn of Court Year-End Ethics Event, Law Library of Louisiana and Supreme Court of Louisiana Historical Society, December 5, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana
- “Ethical Negotiations: Navigating the Grey Areas,” ABA Litigation Section webinar, April 10, 2024
- “Appellate Advocacy, Written and Oral,” LSU Law School, March 11, 2024, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- "The Ethics of Negotiations: Are There Any?" In-house presentation to Stewart Title attorneys, February 8, 2024, Tampa, Florida
- "The Ethics of Negotiations: Are There Any?" In-house presentation to Stewart Title attorneys, January 30, 2024, Boca Raton, Florida
- "The Ethics of Negotiations: Are There Any?" In-house presentation to Stewart Title attorneys January 24, 2024, Jacksonville Beach, Florida
- "Fearless Lawyers, Unpopular Causes, Unpopular Clients, and the Concept of Justice" Baton Rouge Bar Association, November 13, 2024
- "Ethical Negotiations: Navigating the Gray Areas", April 10, 2024
- "The Janus-Faced 1825 Civil Code: Legal Professionalism While Looking Backwards Into the Horrific Past and Glancing Forward Into the Future" A.P. Tureaud American Inn of Court End-of-the-Year Ethics & Professionalism CLE For a Cause, December 5, 2024
Education
- Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D. | 1975
- Amherst College, B.A. | 1972
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Related Services
Affiliations
- American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
- American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section, Past-Chair of Ethics Committee and Liaison to the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility; ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility (Past Member)
- American Bar Foundation
- American College of Mortgage Attorneys
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers, Past-President
- American Law Institute, Life Member; Member, Advisory Committee for Restatement of the Law of Property (Mortgages)
- Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, Past President
- Baton Rouge Bar Association, Past President
- Baton Rouge Bar Foundation, Past President
- Fifth Circuit Rules Committee, Past Member
- Leadership Baton Rouge, Alumni
- Louisiana Bankers Association, Past Chair, Banking Law Section
- Louisiana Bar Foundation
- Louisiana State Bar Association, Past President
- Louisiana State Law Institute, Member: Security Devices Committee; UCC 9 Committee; Code of Civil Procedure Committee; Alternative Dispute Resolutions Committee
- LSU Law School (Paul M. Hebert Law Center), Adjunct Professor (1976-2018)
- Louisiana State University Law Center, Member, National Board of Trustees (2000-Present)
- Southern Conference of Bar Presidents, Past President
- Southern University Law School, Adjunct Professor (2002-2018)
- Tulane Law School, Adjunct Professor (2002-2004)
- Uniform Law Commission, Commissioner
Education
- Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D. | 1975
- Amherst College, B.A. | 1972
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana